Strand assembling apparatus



Nov. 10, 1942 s. M. MARTIN 2,301,731

I STRAND AS SEMBLING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 24, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fl6 6 [m0 uvvz/vroe S. M. MAR TIN Q ATTORNEY Nov. 10, 1942. r s. MQMARTIN 2,301,731

STRAND ASSEMBLING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 24, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A T TOPNEY Patented Nov. 10, 1942 STRAND ASSEMBLING APPARATUS Samuel M. Martin Dundalk, Md., assig'nor to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New. York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application September 24, 1941, Serial No. 412,118

16 Claims.

This invention relates to strand assembling apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus for producing multi-conductor cords and the like.

Multi-conductor cords are frequently desira particularly in the communication arts, for electrically connecting cooperating electrical devices. These cords usually comprise a plurality of individual insulated conductors assembled into a compact unit from the ends of which the conductors project suitable lengths to facilitate their connection with the terminals of the electrical devices. For convenience in handling these cords in service and in order to reduce the wear upon the insulation of the individual conductors, they are frequently sheathed throughout the greater portion of their length with a common textile covering of interwoven threads.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus for producing strand assemblies continuously, rapidly, efiiciently and with a minimum amount of manual labor.

With this and other objects in view, the in vention comprises a strandassembling apparatus including a unit actuable to interweave threads 'into a cover on strands during continuous advancement of the strands and mechanism operable to cause stopping of the unit during advancement of the strands resulting in a coverless portion of the strands.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of theapparatus;

Fig. 3 is an illustration of a product resulting from the apparatus;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of a portion of the control mechanism of the apparatus;

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 4, and

Fig. 6 illustrates one of a plurality of additional shoes varying in length to vary the time interval of operation of a portion of the apparatus.

Referring now to the drawings, attention is directed to Figs, 1 and 2 which illustrate th invention. The primary purpose of the invention is to assemble a plurality of strands,'which in the present instance are electrical conductors l0, withdrawn from supply reels l| mounted for rotation on brackets I2. In assembling the conductors, which will hereinafter be called strands, a textile covering is formed thereon.

present embodiment a braiding unit, indicated generally at l5, has been selected for theform ing of this covering. The braiding unit I5 may be of the conventional type and for this reason a complete description of the construction and op eration thereof is not believed necessary to convey a complete understanding of the invention. In general the braiding unit consists of inner and outer portions l6 and I1 carrying supplies of threads l8 and I9 respectively which are to be interwoven about the strands at an interweaving or braiding point 20 during the rotation of the portions I6 and I! in opposite directions. The driving means will be hereinafterdescribed, attention being directed at the present time to a suitable support 2| for the braiding unit which is mounted upon a horizontal portion-22 of a frame 23, the latter serving as the main support of the apparatus.

Returning now to the braiding unit,attention is directed to bevelled gears 24 and 25 for the portions I 6 and I1 respectively, these gears in terengaging a common pinion 26 which, when rotated, causes rotation of the gears with their portions in opposite directions. The pinion 26 is mounted upon a shaft 21 which is driven directly by a motor 28, the latter being mounted on outwardly projecting portion 29 of the horizontal portion 22 of the frame. This constitutes the cover forming unit and its driving means:

Attention is now directed to the strand advancing mechanism which is operated continu ously and serves to control the operation of power means or motor 28 for the braiding unit. Returning now to the braiding or interweaving point 20, it will be observed that a guide 30 is positioned to receive the strands from the braiding unit and direct the strands upwardly to a groove in a capstan 3|. The guide 30 is mounted upon a horizontal member 33 carried by uprights 34 and 35 which have their lower ends mounted upon the frame 23, or the horizontal portion 22 thereof, through the aid of brackets or the like. A bracket 31 mounted upon the horizontal mem- T ber 33 supports a shaft which in turn rotatably supports the capstan 3|.

A similar capstan 38 is mounted upon a shaft 39 which is supported by a bearing bracket 4|, the latter being mounted upon the upright 35"'as' illustrated in Fig. 2. The shaft 39 has a bevelled gear 42 mounted upon the other end thereof which interengages a bevelled gear 43, the latter being mounted upon a shaft 44 which is journalled in another bearing of the bearing bracket I the 4|. The. shaft 44 is operatively connected to a shaft 45 through a sprocket and chain connection at, the shaft 45 extending across the apparatus as illustrated in Fig. 2 and journalled in suitable bearings 41,

A worm gear 48 i mounted upon the shaft 45 in a housing 35, the latter being mounted upon the horizontal portion 22 of the frame 23 and also housing a worm B which interengages the worm gear. The worm 50 is mounted upon a shaft 5| journalled in suitable bearings in the housing 49 and having a sprocket wheel 52 mounted upon the outer end thereof. A chain 53 operatively connects the sprocket wheel 52 to a sprocket wheel 54, the latter being mounted upon a shaft 55 of a motor 55.

The motor 56 is the power means for'the mechanism thus described, other mechanism being connected thereto as will be observediby viewing Figs. 1 and 2. For instance, a sprocket and chain connection 58 operatively connects the shaft 45 to a shaft 59 upon which a take-up reel 60 is mounted. The shaft 59 is rotatably supported by brackets GI and suitable means (not shown) may beprovided for removably connecting the reel to the shaft so that a full reel may be removed therefrom and an empty reel disposed thereon. The assembled strands are Wound upon the take-upreel, these strands having passed from the guide 3i to a groove in the capstan 3!, having then been wound a plurality of times about different grooves in the capstans 38 and 3!, and finally passing through a guide 63 supported by the upright 35 and then to'the take-up reel 5!). Suitable means (not shown) may be provided -to distribute the assembled strands on the take-up reel.

Attention is now directed to the right side of Fig. 1 and to the left side of Fig. 2, illustrating a gear mounted upon the shaft'45 and intermeshing an intermediate gear ll which in turn intermeshes a gear 12. The intermediategear His mounted upon a shaft 13, the latter being disposed in an elongate aperture 14:0f -an-arm 15. The-arm I5 is pivoted on the shaft 45 and with its'elongate aperture M it may support intermediate gears of various sizes to vary the speed of rotation of the gear '12. This is one variable feature to'vary the length of the coveringformed of the strands and/or to vary'the length of the uncovered portion of the assembled strands.

Thegear 12 is mounted upon a shaft -11,-the latter being journalled in a suitable bearing-in an extension 18 of the bearing 41. Upon the inner end of the shaft 'll', asprocket wheel 19 is mounted,- the latter serving to drive a timing chain 80 which is also supported by an idler sprocket wheel .Bl. The sprocket wheel 8| is mounted upon-a shaft 82 journalled in a'suitable bearing (not shown) supported by the frame 23.

Attention is now directed to Figs. 1, 4 and 5, which illustrate-the timing mechanism including the chain 88. One or more cam-dike elements 83 is mounted upon the chain 89 at one of the links thereof. This element in the present instance is formed of sheet metal, U-shaped in cross-section to straddle the chain, and has a tapered surface 84 positioned to ride beneath a shoe 85 and cause movement thereof during movement of the element with the chain. In the present instance only one element 83 is illustrated, it'being apparent, however, that more than one element may be provided, additional elements being mounted at equally spaced positions upon the chain, if it is desirable to form coverings of equal length on the strands, or at variable positions, if it is desirable to form coverings of variable lengths thereon,

The shoe illustrated in Figs. 1, 4 and 5 has an elongate aperture 85 therein to receive bolts 8! carried by a swingable support 88. Wing nuts 89, carried by bolts 81 with the aid of suitable washers, serve to secure the shoe 85 in any desired position in a recess 91) in the lower end of the support 88. The support 88 is supported by levers 9| through pivot pins 92, the upper ends of the levers being pivotably mounted, as at 93, upon a bracket 94 mounted in any suitable manner upon the frame 23. A switch 95 of any suitable normally closed spring-actuated type is mounted in any suitable manner upon the bracket 94 and has a controlling plunger 97 which engages the upper surface of the support Arcuate movement of the support 88 on its levers -9l caused by the association of the element 83 with the shoe 85, will cause inward movement of the plunger 91, effecting opening of a circuit represented by conductors $3 and 99, which circuit also includes the motor 23. The length of the shoe 85 determines the length of time the circuit to the motor 28 will remain open through the opening of the switch 95 and will, therefore, determine the length of the uncovered portion of the strands. This may be varied by varying the length of the shoe 35 or by substituting another shoe N39 for the shoe 85, the former being of greater length than the latter.

During the operation of the apparatus, it should be understood that a desired number of strands I0 is directed through the braiding unitl5, the guide 35, around the capstans 3i and 33, through the guide 53 and to the take-up reel 55. The motor remains energized during the operation of the apparatus, causing continuous advancement of the strands through the driving of the capstan 38 and through the driving of the take-up reelfifl. The driving of the capstan .38 causes advancement of the assembled strands at a constant speed, there being provided, if desired, a friction clutch or other suitable means to allow variation in the speed of rotation of the take-up reel to allow for the variations in the diameter of the reel during the building up of the assembled strands thereon. The capstan 38 is'driven from the motor 55 through the sprocket and chain connections 52, 53 and 54, the shaft 45, the sprocket and chain connection 4 6, through the bevelled gears 43 and 42, to the shaft 39. The reel 50 is driven through the sprocket and chain connection 58 and/or through the other suitable clutch means previously suggested.

The chain-8t for causing a continuous movement of the element 83, is driven at a speed dependent upon the size of the intermediate gear H which is driven from the gear it directly mounted upon the shaft 45, the intermediate gear driving the gear i2 which-eventually drives the chain BB. When the element83 reaches'the shoe 85, it will be observed by viewing Figs. 1 and 4, that theshoe is positioned so close to the chain, which 'at'this time is riding upon the horizontal portion of the bracketed, that it is'impossible for the element 83 to pass freelytherebeneath Without moving the shoe upwardly. The mounting for theshoe, namelythe support 86 and levers 9| allows arcuate movement of the shoe through the engagement of the tapered camlike surface of theelement 83 to cause upward movement of the plunger Slto actuate the switchtt, opening the switch and thus opening the circuit to the motor 28. If desired suitable braking means may be provided to aid in stopping the braiding unit l when the motor 28 is deenergized.

When the braiding unit is stopped naturally the braiding operation will discontinue, yet during this time the strands are continually being advanced and the threads l8 and IQ of the previously completed covering, for example a covering IUI of the structure shown in Fig. 3, will continue to be advanced with the strands but these threads will be positioned longitudinally or parallel with the strands, as indicated at I02, during the time interval that the braiding unit is stopped. This time interval is controlled by the element 83 and its association with the shoe 85. The moment the element 83 passes beyond the shoe 85, the weight of the shoe and the support 88 will cause them to move downwardly through an arc to assume their normal position, allowing at the same time downward movement of the plunger 91 to effect closing of the switch 96, thus closing the circuit to the motor 28. The energization of the motor 28 starts operation of the braiding unit again to form another covering, for example a covering indicated at I03 in Fig. 3. If desired, a rheostat may be substituted for the switch to cause alternate running of the motor 28 at selected maximum and minimum speeds to accomplish substantially the same result without stopping the motor.

Through this mechanism the strands are advanced continuously at a constant rate of speed by a power means separate from that driving the braiding unit, the mechanism controlled by the power means advancing the strands serving also to control the power means for the braiding unit, causing operation of the braiding unit at predetermined variable intervals to form spaced coverings of equal or variable lengths on the strands and effecting uncovered portions of equal or variable lengths wherein the threads intercom necting the adjacent spaced coverings lie parallel with the strands. The assembled strands are finally wound upon a take-up reel and subsequently are withdrawn from the take-up reel and cut into lengths dependent upon the lengths of the covered and uncovered portions. For example, the assembled strands may be cut midway between the adjacent coverings and the loose threads may then be severed adjacent the ends of the coverings, leaving a group of assembled strands of predetermined variable lengths held together by the covering of predetermined variable length with uncovered ends the lengths of which may be varied as hereinbefore described.

The embodiment of the invention herein disclosed is merely illustrative and may be widely modified and departed from in many ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as pointed out in and limited solely by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A strand assembling apparatus comprising means to advance a strand, supplies of threads, a unit actuable to interweave the threads into a cover on the strand during the advancement of the strand, and means to cause stopping of the actuation of the unit for predetermined variable periods of time during the continuous advancement of the strands resulting in a coverless portion of the strands of predetermined variable length.

2. A strand assembling apparatus comprising 1 to effect alternate stopping and actuation thereof during advancement of the strands to efiect forming of spaced covers on the strands.

3. A strand assembling apparatus comprising means to advance strands, supplies of threads, a unit actuable to interweave the threads into a cover on the strands during the advancement of the strands, and means to control the unit to efiect alternate stopping and actuation thereof during advancement of the strands to efiect forming of spaced covers of predetermined lengths on the strands.

4. A strand assembling apparatus comprising means to advance strands, supplies of threads, a unit actuable to interweave the threads into a cover on the strands during the advancement of the strands, and means to control the unit to effect alternate stopping and actuation thereof during advancement of the strands to effect forming of spaced covers of predetermined variable lcngths on the strands.

5. A strand assembling apparatus comprising means to advance strands, supplies of threads, a unit actuable to interweave the threads into a cover on the strands during the advancement of the strands, and means to control the unit to effect alternate stopping and actuation thereof during advancement of the strands to efi'ect forming of spaced covers of like lengths on the strands.

6. A strand assembling apparatus comprising means to advance strands, supplies of threads, 2. unit actuable to interweave the threads into, a cover on the strands during the advancement of the strands, and means to control the unit to efiect alternate stopping and actuation thereof during advancement of the strands to effect forming coverings on the strands spaced predetermined distances apart.

7. A strand assembling apparatus comprising means to advance strands, supplies of threads, a unit actuable to interweave the threads into a cover on the strands during the advancement of the strands, and means to control the unit to efiect intermittent stopping and actuation thereof during the advancement of the strands to cause forming of spaced coverings on the strands with the threads in the spaced portions lying parallel with each other longitudinally of the strands.

. 8. A strand assembling apparatus comprising an element actuable to advance strands, supplies of threads, a unit actuable to interweave the threads into a cover on the strands during the advancement of the strands, power means to actuate the unit, means to actuate the element, and means under the control of the element actuating means to render the power means ineffective to cause stopping of the unit during the advancement of the strands resulting in a coverless portion of the strands.

9. A strand assembling apparatus comprising an element actuable to advance strands, supplies of threads, a unit actuable to interweave the threads into a cover on the strands during the advancement of the strands, power means to actuate the unit, means to actuate the element, and means under the control of the element actuating means to alternately render the power means efiective and inefiective to cause alternate actuation and stopping of the unit during advancement of the strands to effect forming of spaced covers on the strands.

10. A strand assembling apparatus comprising an element actuable to advance strands, supplies of threads, a unit actuable to interweave the threads into a cover on the strands during the advancement of the strands, power means to actuate the unit, means to actuate the element, and means under the control of the element actuating means to alternately render the power means eifective and ineffective to cause alternate actuation and stopping of the unit during advancement of the strands to effect forming of spaced covers of predetermined lengths on the strands.

11. A strand assembling apparatus comprising an element actuable to advance strands, supplies of threads, a unit actuable to interweave the threads into a cover on the strands during the advancement of the strands, power means to actuate the unit, means to actuate the element, and means under the control of the element actuating means to alternately render the power means effective and ineffective to cause alternate actuation and stopping of the unit during advancement of the strands to efiect forming of spaced covers of predetermined variable lengths on the strands.

12. A strand assembling apparatus comprising means to advance strands, supplies of threads, a unit actuable to interweave the threads into a cover on the strands during the advancement of the strands, and means controlling the actuation of the unit during the advancement of the strands to effect forming of spaced covers of predetermined length on the strands.

13. A strand assembling apparatus comprising means to advance strands, supplies of threads, a unit actuable to interweave the threads into a cover on the strands during the advancement of the strands, and means controlling the actuation of the unit during the advancement of the strands to effect forming of coverings on the strands at predetermined distances apart.

14. A strand assembling apparatus comprising means to advance strands, supplies of threads, a unit actuable to interweave the threads into a cover on the strands during the advancement of the strands, and means controlling the actuation of the unit during the advancement of the strands to effect forming of coverings of variable lengths on the strands and spaced predetermined variable distances apart.

15. A strand assembling apparatus comprising means to advance strands, supplies of threads, a unit actuable to interweave the threads into a cover on the strands durin the advancement of the strands, and means to cause intermittent starting and stopping of the unit during advancment of the strands to cause the unit to form spaced covers on portion of the strands.

16. A strand assembling apparatus comprising means to advance strands, supplies of threads, a unit actuable to interweave the threads into a cover on the strands during the advancement of the strands, and means to cause variation in the speed of the unit during advancement of the strands to cause the unit to form spaced covers on the strands.

SAMUEL M. MARTIN. 

